Wireless transmit-only apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

A wireless transmit-only apparatus ( 20 ) has a controller ( 21 ) that responds to a user interface  25  by correlating specific user input with a corresponding characterizing transmission parameter(s) as is stored in a memory ( 35 ) and by selecting a corresponding resonant device ( 31  and  32 ). The latter devices serve to drive the PLL control input of a phase locked loop ( 23 ) to thereby influence the transmission carrier frequency of a wireless transmitter ( 22 ). In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the resonant devices comprises a mechanically resonant device such as a surface acoustic wave device, a crystal resonator, or a ceramic resonator.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to wireless transmit-only devices andmore particularly to frequency agile transmitters.

BACKGROUND

Wireless transmitters of various kinds are known in the art. Sometransmitters comprise a transceiver that can both transmit and receiveinformation in order to facilitate, for example, programming. Otherdevices only support transmission. For example, remote control devicesas used with movable barrier operators are often transmit-only devices.

In general, prior art transmit-only devices of this sort utilize asingle transmission frequency. In fact, some manufacturers differentiatetheir products from their competitors by utilizing remote controlsignaling transmitters that operate on a frequency that is differentfrom their competitors.

In more recent time, however, steps have been taken to permit greatercompatibility as between the devices that are provided by differentmanufacturers. For example, there are movable barrier operators that cancompatibly receive the transmissions of devices from variousmanufacturers. In particular, such operators have frequency-agilereceivers that can receive the transmissions from a plurality oftransmitters that use differing transmission frequencies.

In a similar manner, so-called universal transmitters have been proposedthat can transmit remote control signals as correspond to thetransmission frequencies of a plurality of differing systems. Suchtransmitters can therefore operate compatibly with a variety of movablebarrier operators and therefore potentially provide greater convenienceto a user. For example, a person owning a home having a garage thatutilizes a first movable barrier operator system and a weekend cottagehaving a garage that utilizes a second movable barrier operator systemcan utilize a single remote control transmitter to operator bothnotwithstanding that the two systems might otherwise be incompatiblewith one another.

Such universal transmitters have not met with significant commercialsuccess in all respects, however. There may be any number of causesassociated with this circumstance, but cost appears to be at least onesignificant contributor. In particular, the frequency agilityrequirements of such a transmitter represents a considerable incrementalcost increase. Such incremental cost in turn may represent an impedimentto more widespread utilization and acceptance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above needs are at least partially met through provision of thewireless transmit-only apparatus and method described in the followingdetailed description, particularly when studied in conjunction with thedrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 comprises a flow diagram as configured in accordance with variousembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 comprises a block diagram as configured in accordance withvarious embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 comprises a block diagram as configured in accordance withvarious embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 comprises a detail view as configured in accordance with anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 comprises a detail block diagram as configured in accordance withanother embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 comprises a detail block diagram as configured in accordance withyet another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7 comprises a detail block diagram as configured in accordance withyet another embodiment of the invention.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures areillustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily beendrawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements inthe figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help toimprove understanding of various embodiments of the present invention.Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessaryin a commercially feasible embodiment are typically not depicted inorder to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodimentsof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally speaking, pursuant to these various embodiments, a wirelesstransmit-only apparatus, such as a remote control transmitter for amovable barrier operator, comprises a controller having a transmissionfrequency selection output and a wireless transmitter having a phaselocked loop that is responsive to the transmission frequency selectionoutput. In a preferred embodiment, the resultant wireless transmit-onlyapparatus can selectively transmit at a plurality of differentfrequencies as selected by the controller and effected, at least inpart, by the phase locked loop. So configured, the apparatus canaccommodate differing transmission frequencies as characterize theprotocols and requirements of differing manufacturers and systems. Thiscapability in turn permits provision of a cost-effective yetsimple-to-use transmitter that can work compatibly and relativelytransparently with a variety of different movable barrier operators.

Pursuant to one embodiment, the phase locked loop has a programmabledivider input that operably couples to an oscillator, which oscillatoris, in turn, controlled by the controller. Such “programmability” caninclude, for example, but is not limited to, selection of one fromamongst many possible divider inputs. This configuration permits arelatively cost efficient mechanism to provide the transmitter with adesired level of frequency agility.

Pursuant to another embodiment, the phase locked loop has a PLL controlinput that operably couples to a plurality of selectively switchableresonant devices. In a preferred embodiment, at least one of theresonant devices comprises a mechanically resonant device and in oneembodiment, all of the resonant devices comprise mechanically resonantdevices. These mechanically resonant devices can be any suitablemechanically resonant devices as are presently known or hereafterdeveloped, including but not limited to crystal resonators, ceramicresonators, and surface acoustic wave devices. When a plurality ofmechanically resonant devices are provided, they can all be of a sameclass of resonant device (for example, they can all be crystalresonators) or they can include resonant devices from differing classesof device.

Pursuant to one embodiment, the PLL control input of the phase lockedloop operably couples to a single oscillator circuit. The singleoscillator circuit, in turn, switchably couples to a plurality ofresonant devices. So configured, the controller selects a particular oneof the plurality of resonant devices to operate in conjunction with theoscillator to thereby control the PLL control control input to the phaselocked loop. This, in turn, permits control of the oscillation frequencyof the oscillator circuit. A transmitter then utilizes this resultantoscillation frequency to influence the transmission carrier frequencyutilized to transmit a message.

Pursuant to another embodiment, the PLL control input of the phaselocked loop switchably couples to a plurality of oscillator circuits.Each oscillator circuit has a corresponding resonant device whereinpreferably each resultant oscillator circuit will produce a selectivelydifferent output oscillation frequency. By controlling which oscillatorcircuit is operably coupled to the PLL control input of the phase lockedloop, the controller is again able to influence the transmission carrierfrequency of a corresponding transmitter.

So configured, a transmitter can be imbued with frequency agility at aconsiderably reduced cost as compared to prior art efforts in thisregard. This economy results in part through the relatively low cost ofvirtually all the incremental components required to support suchfrequency agility. Such an approach also lends itself well to relativelyhigh levels of integration, thereby further contributing to minimizedcost and a compact form factor that is relatively friendly to a widevariety of potential applications.

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, a process 10provides 11 a transmitter with a phase locked loop, selects 13 an outputfrequency, and uses 14 that selected frequency as a transmissionfrequency.

Pursuant to a preferred approach, when providing 11 the transmitter witha phase locked loop, the phase locked loop will support provision of aplurality of selectable output frequencies. By one approach, this phaselocked loop will have a programmable divider value that is responsive toone or more control signals from a controller. By another approach, thisphase locked loop has a PLL control input. Both mechanisms are wellunderstood in the art and hence further description will not be providedhere for the sake of brevity and the preservation of focus.

To facilitate selection 13 of an output frequency, optionally, theprocess 10 can provide 12 for an assertable input. This assertable inputcan comprise a single assertable input but will comprise, in a preferredapproach, a plurality of assertable user inputs. Selection 13 of anoutput frequency can then be based, at least in part, upon assertion ofa given corresponding assertable input. For example, upon detectingassertion of a particular assertable input the process 10 can facilitateselecting one of a plurality of selectable output frequencies as afunction thereof.

Selecting 13 an output frequency can comprise selecting one of aplurality of resonant elements to operably couple to the PLL controlinput (where again, the plurality of resonant elements can comprise aleast one and preferably at least a plurality of mechanically resonantdevices). Depending upon the embodiment, this selection of a resonantelement can comprise selection of a particular resonant element to usein conjunction with an oscillator or can comprise selection of oneoscillator of many wherein each oscillator has at least onecorresponding resonant element associated therewith.

In accordance with well understood prior art technique, the output ofthe phase locked loop can then be used 14 to govern the frequency atwhich a corresponding transmitter transmits a desired message (such as,for example, a remote control instruction to a movable barrier operatorto command the latter to initiate movement of a corresponding movablebarrier).

Such a process can be implemented in a variety of ways. Pursuant to oneapproach, and referring now to FIG. 2, a transmit-only apparatus 20 canbe comprised of a controller 21 that operably couples to a wirelesstransmitter 22 and in particular to a phase locked loop 23 thatcomprises a part thereof or that otherwise operates in conjunctiontherewith.

In a preferred embodiment the controller 21 comprises a programmableplatform (such as a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a programmablegate array, or the like). As well understood in the art, such aprogrammable platform can be realized through use of a single integratedplatform or the requisite functionality can be distributed over aplurality of supporting platforms in accordance with the needs,requirements, and resources as may apply with respect to a givenapplication. In the alternative, if desired, the controller 21 cancomprise an essentially non-programmable platform that serves only thespecific functionality set forth herein. Such architectural options areunderstood in the art and further elaboration here will not be presentedfor the sake of brevity.

The controller 21 serves, at least in part, to facilitate selection of aparticular output frequency (from amongst a plurality of availableoutput frequencies) that the phase locked loop 23 will provide. Pursuantto one approach, the controller 21 can select a particular programmabledivide value for the phase locked loop to thereby effect such selection.Pursuant to another approach, the controller 21 can select an inputoscillation signal as is applied to a PLL control input of the phaselocked loop 23 by an oscillator 24. As will be illustrated below in moredetail, this can be facilitated in a variety of ways, including byselecting from amongst a plurality of resonant devices to use inconjunction with a single oscillator circuit and by selecting fromamongst a plurality of oscillator circuits that each have acorresponding (and preferably differing) resonant device.

Pursuant to one embodiment, the controller 21 selects a particularresonant device as a function, at least in part, of a user interface 25that is operably coupled to the controller 21. In a preferred approach,this user interface 25 comprises at least one independently assertableinput.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a more detailed representation of a morespecific embodiment of a wireless transmit-only apparatus 20 provides aplurality of mechanically resonant devices 31 and 32 that are eachoperably responsive to the controller 21. (Although only two suchmechanically resonant devices are depicted in FIG. 3, it will beunderstood that any number of such devices in excess of one can beprovided as appropriate to the needs of a given application). Thesemechanically resonant devices can be, for example, any of a crystalresonator, a ceramic resonator, a surface acoustic wave device, or thelike as appropriate to the needs of a given application. Eachmechanically resonant device 31 and 32 in turn is operably coupled to aPLL control) input of the phase locked loop 23 (for example, pursuant toone embodiment, the PLL control input can comprise a the set dividerinput with other examples being available as well). So configured, thecontroller 21 can select which of the mechanically resonant devices 31and 32 is utilized in conjunction with the phase locked loop 23 toinfluence the frequency of an output signal as provided thereby.

As noted earlier, the controller 21 can base its selection of aparticular one of the mechanically resonant devices 31 and 32 as afunction, at least in part, of the user interface 25. For example, andreferring momentarily to FIG. 4, the user interface 25 can be comprisedof a plurality of independently assertable inputs. In a preferredembodiment, there are three such independently assertable inputs 41, 42,and 43 provided. Any known or hereafter developed mechanism can beutilized to effect this need as appropriate to the requirements of agiven design. In one embodiment, for example, each independentlyassertable input can be realized through provision of a push-buttonswitch. It would also be possible to provide a variety of differentassertable input form factors in a single embodiment to suit, forexample, the needs of a given application.

In a preferred embodiment, the controller 21 is also operably coupled toa memory 35 (which memory 35 can be remote with respect to thecontroller 21 or integral thereto and/or which can be comprised of asingle platform as illustrated or can be comprised of a plurality ofmemory platforms, all as well understood in the art). This memory 35serves, at least in part, to retain a plurality of characterizingtransmission parameters. Such transmission parameters can includespecifics that pertain to a given signaling, transmission, and/orcontrol protocol as per the dictates of a corresponding given operatingsystem paradigm. To illustrate, the data frame structure can vary fromtransmission message to transmission message to reflect such differingrequirements. Accordingly, the memory 35 can include a correspondingcharacterizing transmission parameter in this regard; i.e., informationregarding the data frame structure to be utilized when transmitting agiven transmission message. Other examples of possibly relevantcharacterizing transmission parameters include, but are not limited to,a particular operational code, and a rolling code value and/or analgorithm to facilitate calculation of a next code to transmit (for usewith a movable barrier operator that makes use of so-called rollingcodes as is otherwise well understood in the art), to name a few.

So configured, the controller 21 can correlate a given independentlyassertable input not only with a specific one of the mechanicallyresonant devices, but also with a corresponding one (or more) of theplurality of characterizing transmission parameters. As a result,assertion of a given one of the independently assertable inputs willresult in selection of both a particular one of the resonant devices andone or more characterizing transmission parameters. These selectedcomponents and constraints can then be utilized to effect thetransmission of a compliant message. In a preferred embodiment, suchcharacterizing transmission parameters comprise, at least in part, oneor more remote control commands such that each of a plurality ofassertable user inputs will correlate with a corresponding remotecontrol command and a corresponding transmission frequency. Fullycompatible operation with a plurality of varying systems can be achievedin this way.

In the embodiment described, each of the mechanically resonant devices31 and 32 is responsive to a control signal from the controller 21.This, in turn, permits the controller 21 to select which of themechanically resonant devices is active and/or otherwise operativelycoupled to the PLL control input of the phase locked loop 23. Pursuantto another approach, and as illustrated with phantom lines, eachmechanically resonant device 31 and 32 can operably couple to the PLLcontrol input of the phase locked loop 23 via an intervening switch 33and 34. By configuring each such switch 33 and 34 to be responsive tothe controller 21, the controller 21 can again select which of themechanically resonant devices 31 and 32 is operably coupled to the PLLcontrol input of the phase locked loop 23 at any given moment. Suchswitches 33 and 34 can be any of a wide variety of switches as arepresently known or hereafter developed; present examples include but arenot limited to a transistor, a pin diode circuit, and a relay, to name afew.

In the illustrative example just provided, each of the resonant devicescomprises a mechanically resonant device. Although this represents apreferred approach, there may be times when one or more electricallyresonant devices may be successfully employed. To illustrate this point,and referring now to FIG. 5, the PLL control input of a phase lockedloop 23 can be selectively coupled to a plurality of resonant devicesthat include at least one mechanically resonant device 51 and at leastone electrically resonant device 52. As depicted, each of these resonantdevices 51 and 52 can be made responsive to a control signal from thecontroller (not shown). Or, if desired and as described above, switchescan be utilized to control which of these resonant devices is coupled tothe set divided input of the phase locked loop 23.

In general, the resonant devices of these embodiments will work best toproperly influence the PLL control input of a phase locked loop 23 whenused in conjunction with an oscillator circuit. For example, andreferring now to FIG. 6, an oscillator 61 can be coupled to the PLLcontrol input of the phase locked loop 23. The oscillator 61 itself canthen couple via in-line switches 63 and 65 to corresponding resonantdevices 62 and 64. (Again, only two such resonant devices are shown inthis illustration with it being understood that any number of resonantdevices can be made available in this fashion as appropriate to meet therequirements of a given application.) So configured, each switch 63 and65 can be made responsive to the controller (not shown) to therebypermit the controller to control the closed or open state of each switchand hence which of the resonant devices is coupled to the oscillator 61.

In the embodiment just described, a single oscillator works inconjunction with a plurality of resonant devices to provide therequisite oscillating input to the PLL control input of the phase lockedloop 23. Pursuant to another approach, and referring now to FIG. 7, aplurality of oscillators 71 and 73 can be utilized where each oscillator71 and 73 has a corresponding resonant device 72 and 74. In a preferredapproach, the oscillators can be essentially identical to one anothersuch that the resultant oscillator output will have a frequency thatvaries one from the other as a function largely of the resonantfrequency of the corresponding resonant device.

These embodiments can be utilized to realize an effective, yetform-factor friendly and economically viable transmit-only apparatus.For example, a movable barrier operator remote control transmitter canbe comprised of at least one assertable user input, a memory containinga plurality of remote control commands for a plurality of differentmovable barrier operators (wherein at least some of the remote controlcommands comprise a corresponding transmission frequency that isdifferent from other of the remote control commands), and correlationdata that correlates the assertable user input(s) with correspondingremote control commands and hence with a corresponding transmissionfrequency. So configured, a controller that is operably coupled to theassertable user input, the memory, and the correlation data and having atransmission frequency selection output can effectively control thetransmission frequency and the message format/content of an operablycoupled wireless transmitter having frequency agility owing to aselectively-variable output frequency phase locked loop.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety ofmodifications, alterations, and combinations can be made with respect tothe above described embodiments without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention, and that such modifications, alterations, andcombinations are to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventiveconcept. For example, an embodiment could be provided wherein aplurality of oscillators are available to be individually coupled to theset divide input of a phase locked loop, wherein at least one of theplurality of oscillators itself has a plurality of switchablyconnectable resonant devices that can be selected for use therewith.

1. A wireless transmit-only apparatus comprising: a controller having atransmission frequency selection output; a wireless transmitter having aphase locked loop, which phase locked loop is responsive to thetransmission frequency selection output; such that the wirelesstransmit-only apparatus can selectively transmit at a plurality ofdifferent frequencies as selected by the controller and effected, atleast in part, by the phase locked loop.
 2. The wireless transmit-onlyapparatus of claim 1 wherein the phase locked loop has a programmabledivider input that operably couples to an oscillator.
 3. The wirelesstransmit-only apparatus of claim 1 wherein the phase locked loop has aPLL control input that operably couples to a plurality of selectivelyswitchable mechanically resonant devices.
 4. The wireless transmit-onlyapparatus of claim 3 and further comprising a switch for each of theselectively switchable mechanically resonant devices, wherein each suchswitch is responsive to the transmission frequency selection output ofthe controller such that the controller can select a particularmechanically resonant device to use with the phase locked loop bycontrolling each of the switches.
 5. The wireless transmit-onlyapparatus of claim 3 wherein at least one of the plurality ofselectively switchable mechanically resonant devices comprises at leastone of: a crystal resonator; a ceramic resonator; and a surface acousticwave device.
 6. The wireless transmit-only apparatus of claim 1 andfurther comprising a user interface comprising at least oneindependently assertable input and wherein the controller is operablyresponsive to the at least one independently assertable input.
 7. Thewireless transmit-only apparatus of claim 6 wherein the user interfacecomprises a plurality of independently assertable inputs and wherein thecontroller is operably responsive to the plurality of independentlyassertable inputs.
 8. The wireless transmit-only apparatus of claim 7wherein the phase locked loop has a PLL control input that operablycouples to a plurality of selectively switchable mechanically resonantdevices.
 9. The wireless transmit-only apparatus of claim 8 and furthercomprising a memory operably coupled to the controller and containing aplurality of characterizing transmission parameters wherein at leastsome of the plurality of characterizing transmission parameterscorrespond to particular ones of the plurality of selectively switchablemechanically resonant devices.
 10. The wireless transmit-only apparatusof claim 9 and further comprising correlation data that correlates atleast one of the plurality of independently assertable inputs with acorresponding one of the plurality of characterizing transmissionparameters that corresponds to a particular one of the plurality ofselectively switchable mechanically resonant devices, such thatassertion of a given one of the independently assertable inputs willresult in selection of a particular corresponding one of the pluralityof mechanically resonant devices for use when transmitting.
 11. Thewireless transmit-only apparatus of claim 1 wherein the controllercomprises control means for selecting a particular output frequency,from a plurality of available output frequencies, that the phase lockedloop will provide.
 12. The wireless transmit-only apparatus of claim 11wherein the control means is further for selecting a particularprogrammable divide value for the phase locked loop.
 13. The wirelesstransmit-only apparatus of claim 11 wherein the control means is furtherfor selecting a particular resonant circuit from amongst a plurality ofcandidate resonant circuits to couple to a set divide input of the phaselocked loop.
 14. The wireless transmit-only apparatus of claim 13wherein the plurality of candidate resonant circuits comprise aplurality of mechanically resonant devices.
 15. The wirelesstransmit-only apparatus of claim 14 wherein the plurality ofmechanically resonant devices include at least one of: a crystalresonator; a ceramic resonator; and a surface acoustic wave device. 16.The wireless transmit-only apparatus of claim 13 wherein the pluralityof candidate resonant circuits comprise a least one mechanicallyresonant device and at least one electrically resonant circuit.
 17. Amovable barrier operator remote control transmitter comprising: at leastone assertable user input; a memory containing a plurality of remotecontrol commands for a plurality of different movable barrier operators,wherein at least some of the remote control commands comprise acorresponding transmission frequency that is different from other of theremote control commands; correlation data that correlates the at leastone assertable user input with a corresponding one of the plurality ofremote control commands and hence with a corresponding transmissionfrequency; a controller that is operably coupled to the at least oneassertable user input, the memory, and the correlation data and having atransmission frequency selection output; a wireless transmitter that isresponsive to the transmission frequency selection output of thecontroller and having at least one selectively-variable output frequencyphase locked loop.
 18. The movable barrier operator remote controltransmitter of claim 17 wherein the at least one assertable user inputcomprises a plurality of assertable user inputs.
 19. The movable barrieroperator remote control transmitter of claim 18 wherein the correlationdata correlates each of the plurality of assertable user inputs with acorresponding one of the plurality of remote control commands and hencewith a corresponding transmission frequency.
 20. The movable barrieroperator remote control transmitter of claim 19 wherein the at least oneselectively-variable output frequency phase locked loop has aprogrammable divider value that is responsive to a control signal fromthe controller.
 21. The movable barrier operator remote controltransmitter of claim 19 wherein the at least one selectively-variableoutput frequency phase locked loop includes a PLL control input that isoperably coupled to a an oscillator having a plurality of switchablyselectable resonant circuits.
 22. The movable barrier operator remotecontrol transmitter of claim 21 wherein the plurality of switchablyselectable resonant circuits comprise switchably selectable mechanicallyresonant circuits.
 23. The movable barrier operator remote controltransmitter of claim 22 wherein the switchably selectable mechanicallyresonant circuits comprise at least one of: a crystal resonator; aceramic resonator; and a surface acoustic wave device.
 24. The movablebarrier operator remote control transmitter of claim 19 wherein the atleast one selectively-variable output frequency phase locked loopincludes a PLL control input that is operably coupled to a plurality ofswitchably selectable oscillators.
 25. The movable barrier operatorremote control transmitter of claim 24 wherein at least one of theplurality of switchably selectable oscillators comprises a mechanicallyresonant device.
 26. The movable barrier operator remote controltransmitter of claim 25 wherein each of the plurality of switchablyselectable oscillators comprises a mechanically resonant device.
 27. Themovable barrier operator remote control transmitter of claim 19 whereinthe at least one selectively-variable output frequency phase locked loopincludes a PLL control input that is operably coupled to mechanicallyresonant means for mechanically resonating at a plurality of selectablecharacteristic frequencies.
 28. A method of selecting a transmissionfrequency for a transmit-only wireless apparatus, comprising: providinga transmitter having a phase locked loop that has a plurality ofselectable output frequencies; selecting one of the plurality ofselectable output frequencies to provide a selected frequency; using theselected frequency as the transmission frequency for the transmit-onlywireless apparatus.
 29. The method of claim 28 wherein providing atransmitter having a phase locked loop that has a plurality ofselectable output frequencies comprises providing a transmitter having aphase locked loop having a programmable divider value.
 30. The method ofclaim 28 wherein providing a transmitter having a phase locked loop thathas a plurality of selectable output frequencies comprises providing atransmitter having a phase locked loop having a PLL control input. 31.The method of claim 30 wherein selecting one of the plurality ofselectable output frequencies to provide a selected frequency comprisesselecting one of a plurality of resonant elements to operably couple tothe PLL control input.
 32. The method of claim 31 wherein selecting oneof a plurality of resonant elements comprises selecting one of aplurality of resonant elements that include at least one mechanicallyresonant element.
 33. The method of claim 32 wherein selecting one of aplurality of resonant elements that include at least one mechanicallyresonant element comprises selecting one of a plurality of mechanicallyresonant elements.
 34. The method of claim 30 wherein selecting one ofthe plurality of selectable output frequencies to provide a selectedfrequency comprises selecting one of a plurality of oscillators.
 35. Themethod of claim 34 wherein selecting one of a plurality of oscillatorscomprises selecting one of a plurality of oscillators wherein each ofthe plurality of oscillators has a different mechanically resonantelement.
 36. The method of claim 28 and further comprising: providing atleast one assertable input; and wherein selecting one of the pluralityof selectable output frequencies to provide a selected frequencycomprises detecting assertion of the at least one assertable input andselecting one of the plurality of selectable output frequencies as afunction, at least in part, of detecting assertion of the at least oneassertable input.
 37. The method of claim 36 wherein: providing at leastone assertable input comprises providing a plurality of independentlyassertable user inputs; and detecting assertion of the at least oneassertable input and selecting one of the plurality of selectable outputfrequencies as a function, at least in part, of detecting assertion ofthe at least one assertable user input comprises detecting assertion ofone of the plurality of independently assertable input to provide adetected asserted input and selecting one of the plurality of selectableoutput frequencies as a function, at least in part, of the detectedasserted input.